Regarding Your Puppy's Needs
Time is closing in on your puppy's home coming! We want to share the following information to prepare you and your family for the big day! Purchase your puppy's food prior to their scheduled arrival to be sure you have what he/she needs for an easy transition to your home.
By feeding a complete and balanced diet, you can impact your dog's lifelong health. Feeding a premium dog food has great long-term value for the health and well-being of your new puppy.
I use and recommend NutriSource Large Breed Puppy for your new Boxer baby or NutriSource Small and Medium Breed Puppy for your miniature Dachshund baby. Having a bag on hand prior to the arrival of your new puppy will help to make the transition to your home easier.
Feeding recommendations can be found on the back of your bag. Adjust the amount to your puppy's consumption, being sure puppy is eating enough to sustain himself/herself. We keep food available to our puppies 24/7 and monitor their intake and energy levels. If you find that your new baby's appetite is lacking due to the stress of changing homes, you can stimulate your puppy's appetite by moistening the dry kibble with a very small amount of chicken broth or warm water. Only moisten food for one feeding at a time. Other things you can try to feed your puppy if he/she is not eating enough are soft scrambled eggs or broiled, baked or boiled chicken (lukewarm). Be sure your puppy is eating enough to sustain him/her.
If your puppy won’t drink the water you offer him/her offer bottled spring water to him/her to drink. Water in different locations can taste and smell much different than the water your puppy has been drinking. Use shallow dishes for food and water. Be sure your puppy is eating, drinking and going potty.
Your puppy will need plenty of rest! When your puppy is not resting, he/she should be alert and playful. If your puppy becomes lethargic, administer a supplement such as Dyne or Nutri-Cal immediately. If your puppy’s condition does not improve within 20 minutes you should contact your veterinarian right away.
Your puppy will need a quiet and stable environment to adjust properly. Loud noise and quick movement will stress your puppy. Please be gentle and kind to your puppy. Talk softly, handle your puppy gently and spend a lot of time with your puppy. A puppy that is adjusting will sometimes eat small amounts of food from your hand while on your lap. This helps build a good relationship between you and your puppy.
We recommend keeping your puppy in a confined area (not too large 6’ X 6’) when you are not immediately with him/her. Do not place puppy in a draft. Floor temperatures are often much cooler than the reading on your thermostat. Do not expose your puppy to excess heat. Keep him/her at a temperature that is comfortable (70-78 degrees). Provide your puppy a soft towel or pillow to rest on.
Use extreme care not to step on your puppy or allow him/her to jump or fall from your arms, furniture, stairs or any elevated surface. Always handle your puppy in a very gentle manner. Never hit or shake your puppy.
Do not take your puppy into public areas where other animals have been until your puppy is complete on his/her puppy series of vaccinations at about 15/16 weeks of age.
You will want to purchase a tear-less brand of puppy shampoo and a soft brush. Do not bathe your puppy so often that you dry the skin. Use care when bathing your puppy and do not get soap and water in the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth.
Give daily attention to the eyes and rectal area keeping both areas clean using a soft damp cloth.
If you have any questions regarding the care of your new puppy please do not hesitate to give me a call at 417-293-6061. Your veterinarian and staff are also a great source for advice in the care of your new puppy.
Sincerely,
Amanda Hoskins
